International Preview

Wednesday 6 February 2013 10:30

A host of Fulham players are set to feature for their respective countries on Wednesday in a variety of competitive Qualifiers and international friendly matches.

Round Four of the North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup Qualifiers kick-off as Costa Rica face Panama in Panama City. With matches against the likes of the United States and Mexico to come, Bryan Ruiz and co will be hoping for a positive result in their opening match.

Ashkan Dejagah is also in competitive action as Iran face Lebanon in their first qualifying match for the 2015 Asian Cup. The top two teams from each of five qualifying groups go through, along with the best third-placed team.

The remaining senior internationals are all friendly matches and Aaron Hughes has travelled with Northern Ireland as they face Malta at Ta’Qali Stadium, while Mladen Petrić is closer to home as his Croatia side face the Korea Republic at Craven Cottage.

Mark Schwarzer’s Australia meet Romania in Marbella, with John Arne Riise and Brede Hangeland not too far away in Sevilla for Norway’s game with Ukraine.

His fine form for Fulham has seen Giorgos Karagounis maintain his place in the Greece squad for their match against Switzerland in Piraeus. Meanwhile, Alexander Kačaniklić will come up against Lionel Messi in Sweden’s clash with Argentina in Solna.

In the final senior match, Neil Etheridge could add to his haul of caps for the Philippines in their tie against Myanmar in Yangon.

Representing their Under-21 sides, Pajtim Kasami has been called up by Switzerland for their match against Slovakia in Villarreal, Omri Altman and Israel take on Serbia, while Jack Grimmer represents Scotland U19s in their match against the Netherlands.

Lasse Vigen Christensen captained Denmark U19s in their 3-1 defeat by England in Doncaster on Tuesday evening. Lasse played the full 90 minutes of what was an exciting game at the Keepmoat Stadium.